Sands China Announces ‘Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens’

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The programme reflects the company’s continued commitment to foster small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and aims to support innovative entrepreneurial proposals from local Macao residents interested in establishing businesses on Rua das Estalagens. The programme’s objective is to revitalise the neighbourhood, breathe life into the historic street and unleash its past vibrancy – while promoting technological innovation in Macao, enhancing cultural tourism offerings, and injecting vitality into the old districts.

This latest initiative follows the F.I.T. programme, which Sands China launched in 2017 to offer Financial Support, Invitational Matching, and Training and Development to local SME suppliers. Building upon that success, the company established the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre under the F.I.T. programme to discover and support local innovative enterprises with growth potential. The new Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens expands on these efforts.

Open to the public, the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme offers comprehensive support aligned with the Macao SAR government’s revitalisation plan, with Sands China to provide operational subsidies and assistance to entrepreneurs. During the application period, the company will organise a Rua das Estalagens Open Day to foster a deeper understanding of the street’s development and conduct training sessions to equip participants with essential business skills, including marketing writing and pitching.

Leong Wai Man, President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, expressed her support for the project, stating, “The SAR government, in collaboration with Sands China, is working together to promote the revitalisation of Rua das Estalagens. By infusing creativity, we aim to give the district a new essence and purpose, creating a vibrant and sustainable urban public space that embodies local cultural identity. This Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme encourages local businesses to unleash their creativity and establish innovative cultural and tourism projects, thereby stimulating the local economy. We sincerely hope that all sectors of society actively participate in this initiative, contributing their creative ideas to enhance the vibrancy of Rua das Estalagens.”

To be eligible for the programme, entrepreneurs must possess a minimum capital of MOP 300,000 and establish their businesses on Rua das Estalagens. Sands China will provide operational subsidies in phases to businesses with outstanding performance, offering up to twice the initial capital investment, capped at MOP 1 million. The selection process considers factors such as innovation, feasibility, uniqueness, store attractiveness, and sustainable business models.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the programme, Dr. Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd., said, “Rua das Estalagens was once a thriving commercial street with significant historical and cultural value. Sands China is delighted to launch the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, in line with the Macao SAR government’s policy guidelines. Through operational subsidies and other measures, we aim to support aspiring entrepreneurs interested in settling in the area. The programme seeks to introduce diverse business elements to revive a bustling street atmosphere and promote sustainable economic development within the community.

“Sands China is committed to providing substantial assistance to local entrepreneurs through this programme, empowering them to pursue their dreams. Furthermore, we will continue to support small and medium-sized enterprises within the revitalised areas, fostering mutual prosperity and symbiotic relationships with the community. We extend our sincere gratitude to all government departments, public utility corporations, and communities that are collaborating with us to create better business conditions for entrepreneurs, thereby maximising the impact of the programme.”

The Macao Chamber of Commerce, as an intermediary within Macao’s business community, fully supports the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens. Ho Pui Fan, Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, stated, “We actively aim to foster the growth of local enterprises, and by promoting this programme to our local business community, we hope to provide a valuable opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to effectively utilize the revitalisation project of Rua das Estalagens as a platform to excel in their endeavours.”

Interested parties can register for the programme until May 31 and find more details at: https://www.sandschina.com/the-company/sands-resorts-incubation-center.html

In addition to the recruitment programme, Sands China will provide trainings and other events to support entrepreneurs. These include a free entrepreneurship information and technical exchange session for the public on April 17, a Rua das Estalagens Open Day on April 20 and 21, and two free courses on May 6 covering Business Plan Composition and Pitching Skills.

Sands China also announced another new initiative, In Search of its Roots: Depicting Rua das Estalagens, which aims to rediscover the history of the street through visual interpretations by local Macao artists. This initiative seeks to raise public awareness, inject positive energy, and promote an understanding of Macao’s development and the street’s history.

The Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens is organised by Sands China Ltd. and co-organised by the Macao Chamber of Commerce; the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR is the programme’s advisory body.